The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) has named its 2012 projects of the year, recognizing innovation in promoting landfill gas to energy.

The Washington-based EPA said in a news release the LMOP recognized seven projects “that generate renewable energy from a local source while also protecting the climate and strengthening the economy.” The projects will avoid emissions of 269,770 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

The winning projects were:

·      Anne Arundel County Millersville landfill electricity project, Maryland;

·      Hickory Ridge Landfill and Coca-Cola combined cooling, heat and power project, Georgia;

·      La Crosse County Landfill and Gundersen Health System combined heat and power project, Wisconsin;

·      Lycoming County Landfill dual cogeneration and electricity project, Pennsylvania;

·      Orange County’s Olinda Alpha Landfill combined cycle project, California;

·      St. Landry Parish Landfill compressed natural gas project, Louisiana; and

·      Watauga County Landfill small electricity project, North Carolina.

The EPA LMOP also selected its 2012 Industry Partner of the Year: Landfill Energy Systems, Michigan.

The winners received the awards at LMOP’s Annual Conference and Project Expo in Baltimore.